Which strings do I strum for E power chord?

3 strings, from the thick E string down to the thin e. Skip the G and B and thin e strings.

What notes are in an E power chord?

E, B. The E is the root, the note the chord is named after. There is no third, so it is neither major nor minor.

What chords go with E5?

Its neighbours on the circle of fifths, A and B, and its relative minor, C#m. Songs move between these because they share notes.

power chord

How to play E power chord on guitar

Two notes, the root and the fifth. No major, no minor, just weight. The rock chord.

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Where the fingers go

1
index finger, A string, fret 2
Count from the thick string: E A.
2
ring finger, D string, fret 2
Count from the thick string: E A D.
3
Leave the thick E string open
They ring without any finger. They are part of the chord.
4
Strum 3 strings, from the thick E string down
Skip the G and B and thin e. They would add a note that does not belong.

The same shape seen along the neck, thin e on top. Numbers are fingers; 0 is an open string.

The notes in E5

A chord is three or four notes played together. E power chord is built from these:

Note	Job in the chord	Where it is in this shape
E	root	thick E string, open; D string, fret 2
B	fifth	A string, fret 2

The root, E, is the note it is named after. There is no third in this chord, the note that would make it major or minor, which is why it sounds neither major nor minor, just strong.

Where it sits on the circle of fifths

The circle of fifths lines up the twelve keys so that neighbours share the most notes. Chords next to each other on the circle sound good one after the other, which is why songs move between them.

A and B are E5’s neighbours. Most songs in E5 use one or both.
C#m is its relative minor: the same notes, a different home. Swapping between them changes the mood without changing your hand much.

The mistake everyone makes

Watch out

Letting the thin strings ring

Only the three thick strings are played. Rest the side of your right hand near the bridge to keep the rest quiet.

Tip

Move it anywhere

Press the thick E at fret 3 instead of open and slide the other two fingers up: that is G5. Every fret is a new power chord.

Songs that use it

Rock, punk and metal. Usually with distortion.

None of the songs on the site use E5 yet. It is coming with the next batch.

Questions people ask

Which strings do I strum for E power chord?: 3 strings, from the thick E string down to the thin e. Skip the G and B and thin e strings.
What notes are in an E power chord?: E, B. The E is the root, the note the chord is named after. There is no third, so it is neither major nor minor.
What chords go with E5?: Its neighbours on the circle of fifths, A and B, and its relative minor, C#m. Songs move between these because they share notes.